EP2244923B1 - Sensoranordnung - Google Patents

Sensoranordnung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2244923B1
EP2244923B1 EP09700577.1A EP09700577A EP2244923B1 EP 2244923 B1 EP2244923 B1 EP 2244923B1 EP 09700577 A EP09700577 A EP 09700577A EP 2244923 B1 EP2244923 B1 EP 2244923B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sensor
spacer
under inspection
rail
inspection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP09700577.1A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2244923A2 (de
Inventor
Robert Lye Crocker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sperry Rail International Ltd
Original Assignee
Sperry Rail International Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sperry Rail International Ltd filed Critical Sperry Rail International Ltd
Publication of EP2244923A2 publication Critical patent/EP2244923A2/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2244923B1 publication Critical patent/EP2244923B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61K—AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR RAILWAYS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B61K9/00—Railway vehicle profile gauges; Detecting or indicating overheating of components; Apparatus on locomotives or cars to indicate bad track sections; General design of track recording vehicles
    • B61K9/08—Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
    • B61K9/10—Measuring installations for surveying permanent way for detecting cracks in rails or welds thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/72—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables
    • G01N27/82—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
    • G01N27/90—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
    • G01N27/9006—Details, e.g. in the structure or functioning of sensors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/72—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables
    • G01N27/82—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
    • G01N27/90—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
    • G01N27/9013—Arrangements for scanning
    • G01N27/902—Arrangements for scanning by moving the sensors

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a means of enabling inspection of engineering components, such as rails used in the railway industry, using various sensors that make use of electromagnetic effects.
  • Engineering components which are electrical conductors can be inspected using electromagnetic techniques. These include but are not limited to eddy current inspection, magnetic flux leakage, residual magnetism, alternating current flow measurement (acfm), and magnetic induction.
  • All of these techniques rely on either an electromagnetic or magnetic field to be created in the vicinity of the surface of the component.
  • the sensor measures either the absolute properties of the field, or far more commonly, variations of those properties as a function of the spatial relationship between sensor and surface position.
  • the sensor will be scanned across the surface of the component either by moving the sensor with respect to the component or vice versa. As this relative movement occurs the interaction between the sensor and the field is monitored. Variations in the material of the component close to its surface will then be revealed as local disturbances of the field.
  • Figure 1 shows a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, in which the principles described above are applied.
  • the system 1 comprises a component under inspection 2, a sensor 4, and a non-magnetic spacer 6.
  • the spacer 6 and the sensor 4 move relative to the component 2.
  • the spacer is sized to provide the appropriate spacing between the sensor 4 and the component 2.
  • the separation is typically required to be of the order of about 1 or 2 millimetres for the sensor to maintain the appropriate sensitivity.
  • Figure 2 shows a system 10 that is a variant of the system 1 described above.
  • the system 10 comprises a component under inspection 12 and a sensor 14 similar to the component 2 and sensor 4 described above.
  • the system 10 also comprises a mechanical arrangement 16 adapted to separate the component 12 and the sensor 14. In use, the mechanical arrangement 16 (and therefore also the sensor 14) moves relative to the component 12.
  • the separation might typically be required to be of the order of about 1 or 2 millimetres for the sensor to maintain the required sensitivity.
  • the response of the sensor is affected by two things: firstly the variation in the properties of the surface in the vicinity of the sensor, as described briefly above, but secondly the separation of the sensor and the surface under inspection. This latter parameter is often referred to as lift-off.
  • the sensor can be maintained easily at a known distance from the surface, typically less than 1 mm.
  • any variations in this separation will cause variations in the nature and magnitude of the response of the sensor so that any variations in the shape or morphology of the surface will cause significant variations in the output of the sensor. These variations commonly dominate those caused by the material variations.
  • EP 1132 735 discloses an apparatus and method for detecting flaws in rail road rails.
  • the apparatus comprises an ultrasonic flaw detector located within a wheel, the wheel arranged to be run along a rail being impacted.
  • US 4,510,447 discloses an apparatus for electromagnetically detecting flaws in the wall of a pipe.
  • An electromagnet with two poles in direct contact with the walls of a pipe being inspected is translated along the pipe and a sensor arrangement detects any variation in the eddy currents created.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome or address one or more of the problems identified above.
  • the present invention provides a rail inspection device with the features of claim 1.
  • the object under test is a rail.
  • the present invention also provides a method of rail inspection comprising the steps of claim 10.
  • the method is a method of rail inspection.
  • the object under inspection is a rail.
  • the senor In use, the sensor is in contact with the inner surface of the spacer at the point where the outer surface of the spacer is in contact with the object under inspection.
  • the present invention enables the separation of the sensor and the component under inspection to be maintained at a constant magnitude set by the thickness of the spacer.
  • that dimension might be of the order of 1mmm to 2mm; in other embodiments, that dimension might be less than 1mm.
  • the spacer Since the spacer is compliant, the spacer conforms to the shape of the object under inspection. Thus, the provision of a compliant spacer facilitates the constant separation of the sensor and the component being inspected even where the exact shape of the surface is unknown and where the relative velocity of movement of sensor and component is high. The nature of the device is such that the separation is maintained at a constant magnitude but without the limiting effect of wear and mechanical damage.
  • the present invention addresses one of the main difficulties in successful inspection of engineering components which is the variation in separation of sensor and component.
  • a further advantage of the new device is the mechanical protection afforded to the sensor as the sensor is moved across the component and encounters mechanical protuberances.
  • the said spacer is circular and the sensor is positioned inside the circle.
  • the spacer is a tyre.
  • the space is rotatable.
  • the spacer is arranged such that, in use, it is rolled along the device under test.
  • the sensor is spring loaded or mounted on a spring loaded mechanism. In this manner, the spring is urged towards the inner surface of the spacer and hence towards the object under inspection. Thus, as the spacer flexes, the sensor remains in contact with the inner surface of the spacer.
  • the spacer may be urged against the object under inspection.
  • the sensor is an electromagnetic sensor. Further, the sensor may measure the variation in the electromagnetic properties of the surface of the object under inspection in the vicinity of the sensor.
  • the electromagnetic properties being measured may be eddy currents.
  • the spacer may be non-metallic.
  • the object under inspection may be electrically conducting.
  • the object under inspection is a railway rail.
  • the sensor may, for example, be used to detect defects in such a railway rail.
  • the spacer and the associated sensor may be moved relative to the object under inspection in order for measurements to be taken along said object.
  • the spacer is rotated along the said object.
  • the object under inspection may be moved relative to the sensor.
  • FIGS 3 and 4 show a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20.
  • the system 20 comprises a rail 22, one or more sensors 24, and a compliant tyre 26.
  • the tyre is urged against the rail 22 and, since the tyre is compliant, the tyre conforms to the shape of the rail.
  • the sensors 24 are mounted inside the tyre 26 such that the sensors are in contact with the inside surface of the tyre at the point where the outside of the tyre is in contact with the rail 22, as shown in Figure 3 .
  • the sensors 24 are mounted on a sprung loaded device which presses the sensors against the inside of the tyre such that as the tyre flexes, the sensors remain in contact with the inside surface.
  • Figure 5 shows a system, 20' that is identical to the system 20 described above, with the exception that the rail 22' has become worn through use.
  • the compliance of the tyre 26' enables the tyre to take up the shape of the rail 22' in the transverse direction and because the sensor 24' is in contact with the inner surface of the tyre, the sensor remains a fixed distance from the surface, i.e. at the thickness of the tyre.
  • the compliance of the tyre enables the shape to be followed and the sensors follow the tyre thus remaining at the same separation throughout the change of shape.
  • the effects of lift-off are largely eliminated.
  • Figure 6 shows the use of the present invention in a situation where a first rail 32a and second rail 32b meet. As shown in Figure 6 , the second rail is positioned slightly higher than the first rail; of course, such a scenario is common in practice.
  • a sensor (not shown) is mounted inside a compliant tyre 36. Since the tyre 36 is compliant, it adjusts to the change in the shape of the components being measured as shown in Figure 6 .

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Magnetic Means (AREA)
  • Transmission And Conversion Of Sensor Element Output (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Gleisuntersuchungsgerät, aufweisend einen nachgiebigen Abstandshalter (26) und einen Sensor (24), wobei der Abstandshalter (26) eine innere Oberfläche und eine äußere Oberfläche aufweist, und wobei der Abstandshalter (26) kreisförmig ist, und der Sensor (24) innerhalb des Kreises angeordnet ist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der Sensor (24) derart federgespannt ist, dass er gegen die innere Oberfläche des Abstandshalters (26) gedrängt wird, so dass in Verwendung die äußere Oberfläche des Abstandshalters in Kontakt mit der zu untersuchenden Schiene (22) ist,
    und der Sensor (24) ein elektromagnetischer Sensor ist.
  2. Gerät nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Abstandshalter (26) ein Reifen ist.
  3. Gerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der Abstandshalter (26) in Verwendung gegen den zu untersuchenden Gegenstand (22) gedrängt wird.
  4. Gerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der Abstandshalter (26) nichtmetallisch ist.
  5. Gerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der Sensor (26) die Veränderung der elektromagnetischen Eigenschaften der Oberfläche des zu untersuchenden Gegenstandes (22) in der Umgebung des Sensors misst.
  6. Gerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei das zu untersuchende Gleis (22) elektrisch leitend ist.
  7. Gerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der Abstandshalter (26) rotierbar ist, so dass er in Verwendung so angeordnet ist, dass er entlang des zu untersuchenden Gleises (22) gerollt wird.
  8. Gerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, weiterhin aufweisend Mittel zum Antreiben des Abstandshalters (26) und des Sensors (24) im Verhältnis zu dem zu untersuchenden Gegenstand (22).
  9. Gerät, aufweisend ein Gerät nach den vorherigen Ansprüchen und weiterhin aufweisend den zu untersuchenden Gegenstand (22).
  10. Verfahren zur Untersuchung eines Gleises, aufweisend die folgenden Schritte:
    Bereitstellen eines nachgiebigen Abstandshalters (26),
    Befestigen eines Sensors (24) in eine federngespannte Anordnung, so dass sie gegen eine innere Oberfläche des Abstandshalters (26) gedrängt wird; und
    Positionieren des Abstandshalters (26) derart, dass eine äußere Oberfläche des Abstandshalters (26) in Kontakt mit einem zu untersuchenden Gleis (22) ist, wobei der Abstandshalter (26) kreisförmig ist, und der Sensor (24) innerhalb des Kreises positioniert wird, und der Sensor (26) ein elektromagnetischer Sensor ist.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, weiterhin aufweisend den Schritt des Drängens des Abstandshalters (26) gegen das zu untersuchende Gleis.
  12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder Anspruch 11, weiterhin aufweisend den Schritt des Antreibens des Abstandshalters (26) und des Sensors (24) im Verhältnis zu dem zu untersuchenden Gleis (22).
  13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei der Abstandshalter (26) entlang des zu untersuchenden Gleises (22) rotiert wird.
  14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 10-13, weiterhin aufweisend den Schritt des Verwendens des Sensors (24) zum Messen der Veränderung der elektromagnetischen Eigenschaften der Oberfläche des zu untersuchenden Gegenstands (22) in der Umgebung des Sensors.
EP09700577.1A 2008-01-10 2009-01-09 Sensoranordnung Active EP2244923B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0800406.1A GB0800406D0 (en) 2008-01-10 2008-01-10 Sensor assembly
PCT/GB2009/000049 WO2009087385A2 (en) 2008-01-10 2009-01-09 Sensor assembly

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2244923A2 EP2244923A2 (de) 2010-11-03
EP2244923B1 true EP2244923B1 (de) 2013-05-15

Family

ID=39144716

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09700577.1A Active EP2244923B1 (de) 2008-01-10 2009-01-09 Sensoranordnung

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US9254851B2 (de)
EP (1) EP2244923B1 (de)
CN (2) CN104608798B (de)
CA (1) CA2711552C (de)
ES (1) ES2429420T3 (de)
GB (2) GB0800406D0 (de)
PT (1) PT2244923E (de)
WO (1) WO2009087385A2 (de)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2469009B (en) 2012-07-25
US20110043199A1 (en) 2011-02-24
CN104608798B (zh) 2021-07-30
ES2429420T3 (es) 2013-11-14
GB201013314D0 (en) 2010-09-22
WO2009087385A3 (en) 2009-10-15
WO2009087385A2 (en) 2009-07-16
EP2244923A2 (de) 2010-11-03
GB2469009A (en) 2010-09-29
CA2711552A1 (en) 2009-07-16
CN101918260A (zh) 2010-12-15
US9254851B2 (en) 2016-02-09
PT2244923E (pt) 2013-07-18
CN104608798A (zh) 2015-05-13
CA2711552C (en) 2016-09-06
GB0800406D0 (en) 2008-02-20

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